Yarn feeding and changing mechanism for knitting machines



y 8, 1945- H. H. HOLMES ml, 7 2,375,473

YARN FEEDING AND CHANGING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 9,1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 'H. HQHOLMES ETI'AL 2,375,473

YARN FEEDING AND CHANGING MECHANISM FOR KNI 'ITING MACHINES Filed April" 9, 194a 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m Attorney H. H. HOLMES Er'AL 2,375,473 YARN FEEDING AND 'CHANGING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 9, 1943 4 Sheets- Sheet 3 May 1945- H. HOLMES ETAL 2,375,473 YARN FEEDING AND CHANGING MECHANISM FQR KNITTING MACHINES I Filed April 9, 1943 4 Sheets Sheet 4 Attorney Patented May 8, 1945 YARN FEEDING AND CHANGING MECHA- NISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Henry Harold Holmes and Albert Henry Widdowson, Leicester, England; assignors to Wildt and Company Limited, Leicester, England, a Brit'-" ish company Application April 9, 1943, Serial No. 482,450 In Great Britain April 2, 1942 14 Claims;

, This invention appertains to yarn feeding and changing mechanism employed in knitting machines, and has reference more particularly to such mechanism of the kind comprising a plurality of independently movable yarn guides which are operable automatically for the purpose of substituting one yarn for. another at a knitting location and have in association therewith yarn trapping and severing means for holding and cutting a yarn Whenwithdrawn from knitting, in the manner Well understood in the art.

The principal aim is the provision of an improved form of yarn feeding and changing mechanism capable of producing contrasting, e. g., different coloured, effects such as horizontal stripes and the like in knitted fabric.

Although it is not necessarily limited in this respect, the mechanism constituting the present invention is principally. intended for application to circular knitting machines furnished with independent needles. In this connection the invention is advantageously applicable to circular knitting machines of the characteristic type including double axially opposed, e, 'g., superimposed, needle cylinders.

A disadvantage with yarn feeding and changing mechanisms commonly employed heretofore is that byreason of the relative disposition of the yarn guides and the trapping and severing means, comparatively long ends of yarn are produced when yarn changes are made which tend to form somewhat bulky joins at the junctures of the yarns in the knitted fabric. This is accounted for by the fact that whena change is made the lead-' ing end of the new yarn is usually turned back or doubled, and also the overlapping lengths of the old and new yarns extend across an appreciable number of the needles, which, of'course, im-' pairs. the appearance of the knitted fabric.

The present invention comprises an improve-- ment the principalobject of which is toprovide a yarn feeding and changing mechanism of a comparatively compact form designed to take up a minimum of space at a knitting location and to produce less bulky and consequently much neater joins in the knitted fabric whereby the appearance of the latter is rendered appreciably more attractive.

The characteristic feature of theimproved yarn feeding and changing mechanism resides inthe provision of a device adapted, whenever a yarn change is effected, to engage and introduce tothe needles the portion of the ingoing yarn extending between. the feeding end of its 'guideandthe aforesaid trapping and severing meansand thereupon to cut the said yarn.

. Broadly, the said device may be arranged to cut the ingoing yarn at any pointbetween the needles to which it is introduced and the yarn trapping and severing means.

To achieve the principal object of. the invention, however, the device is preferably so arranged andoperated that theingoing yarn is cut as near as ispracticable to the appropriate side of the first needle to receive it. The effect of: this is to produce a particularly short, unknitted leading end of new yarn, and toleave .a. free portion of the yarn projecting from the trapper for eventual removal as Waste. This,.of course, isin contra-distinction to yarn feeding andchanging mechanisms of the form mostcommonlyemployed heretofore, wherein whenever a yarn guide was moved into its feeding position the ingoing 1 yarn was caught by certain needles and the whole f of the appreciable length of yarn then extending between the said needles and the trapper was taken into and knitted by that needle. But, pro-' viding this requirement is satisfied, the nearer to the needle the yarn is cut the better for the success of the ultimate results to be achieved.

The improved device, which for the sake of convenience will hereinafter be referred toasthe yarn placing and cutting device? is; operated during each yarn change at a point wherelneedles are retracted'for, stitch forming purposes and in appropriate; timed relation withthe ingoing and.

outgoing guides.

The yarn placingand cutting device is also adaptedto trap the appropriate portion of the ingoing yarn before cuttingit. In this connection the saiddevice may therefore be regarded as constituting auxiliary trappingand severing means employed in association with the main trapping and severing device of, the mechanism. 4 v

The main trapping and severing device is ar ranged as. near as possible to the needles so that, whenever a yarn guide is withdrawn from its feeding position, the outgoing,gi."e;, old, yarn after being trappedwill be severed close to the needles to leave a short end. Moreover, the overlap (by which is meant the overlapping lengths operated toicutan ingoing yarn,

I spectively, thesaid'devicebeing viewediii-the of the old and new yarns) is advantageously controlled-so as to be rendered as short as possible by arranging the timing or controlling mechanism of'the machine to give a changing period,

as short as practicable. In this way there is produced in the knitted fabric a particularly neat join with but'short unknitted ends of they oldand the inside of the new yarns projecting from fabric. a

In order that the invention may be more tical effect, a multi-colour striping attachment and'associated operating mechanism asapplied to a seamless-hose machine of the superimp t rotary needle cylinder type will now be described,

by way of example, with reference to the alccompanying drawings, wherein,

and operating mechanism, g I

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the yarn guides and operating mechanism as seen in thedirection of the arrow A in Figurel,

? Figure. 2Ais a fragmentary vertical sectional viewof that'portion of Figure l enclosed-in the chain line rectanglew R.

Figure 3 is a detail view showing the-yarn guides in their non-feeding positions-with all of I the correspondingyarns in the main trapper,

1 Figure 4 is a, fragmentary side view showing cam means and intermediate connections for controllingthe attachment for half round striping, 1

-Eigure 5- is a, detail plan view depicting the pawl and ratchet 'mechanism employed for efffecting reciprocation of the striping control, drum, the pawl being shown in its bluffed position, i

Figure 6- is a similar view, but with the bluff moved to. such a position as to allow co-operationsof the pawl with the associated rack; wheel,

Figure T is a'plan vie-w of'oneof a plurality of I cams onthe; stripingcontrol drum, and shows -the manner in which it acts upon and operates the associated "lever,

, l Figure 8 is a part sectional plan view showing cams arranged beneath the bottom plate: of

th'e'imachine-for controllingthe mechanism during both instep 'andrear-striping as will b here- :inatt-er described,

v Figure'Q is a perspective-iviewaofi the main trapping and! severing device and the plac- -ing and cutting device, the-"latter having been Figures 1c and 1-1 are twoviewsof the main trapping and severing device; with yarn f gatherer in the open-and closed positions re- 1 directionof the arrow B in Fi'gure 1,- Figure 12- is a side view of the yarn placing and cutting:device'per se, as see'n inthe direc- -tiniofthe arrow 0 in Figurel, the-elements of the device being shown inoperative, and

Figure 13. isa somewhat similar view showing the. said elements in the course of' being advanced to cut and holda yarn.

Like parts are designated by similar reference F characters throughout the drawings. i l

-Referring totFigures 1 and 2. thereference numeral ldesignates the-bottom or bed-plate of the machine while .the' bottom-cam box is in- I dicated: at: 2 In this example there: are seven yarn. guides 3iior. multi-color striping;v these guides being. -pivotally mounted 'toswing one above another on a support 4 The number of yarn. guides provided may, of course,- vary: ac-

Figure 1 is a plan view of the said attachment I ity in Figure 2 only two of the said yarn guides are fully'shown, i.;e., the uppermost and the clearly understood and readily carrieeinto pracis,-.:ho=wever, shown in Figure 3.

yarn guides 3 consists'of a comparatively thin lowermost, the feeding ends or throats of the re-' maining five guides being merely indicated, by small circles 3 the full complement of guides rod-like or similar member which is reduced in "thickness or relieved as at 3a (Figure 3) to render. the -.gu-ide yieldable at its feeding end or throat 3b. 3 The. yarn guides are inserted in the ends of carrier levers 5 and secured therein by means of screws 6. These levers are pivoted at "l uponbrackets 8 the formation and disposition' of which are such. as to enable all of the yarn guides, except one, to swing. on axes obliquely disposed: in two directions.

This will be clear frdm a consideration of Figure 2., The brackets 8 are secured to an upright fixed plateconstitilting the support 4and are so disposed that g the feeding ends or throats 3b of the yarn guides V non-feeding positions: by springs. For pure,

' way: for; the'ingoing guide.

all-converge in the-direction of a common feed ing point P (Figures 1 and '2') somewhat in ad'- vance of the' knitting location. In Figure 2 it willbe seen thatthis point 'isadjacent to the customary latch guard which is indicated-at 9.

The guidesare normally in their respective m5 operative; i. .e., non-feeding, positions, shown in Figure 2. The guide shown in Figure l is, however, in the feeding position, with its-feeding end or throat-3b located at the point P; When the, guides are moved to assume the feeding position,

their feeding ends or throats will follow the paths represented by the straight linesl in Figure 2; The arrangement. is, such that when an inoperative guide is moved tothe feeding'point P its feedingwend or throat. 3b makescontact with the feeding; 'end: or throat of the then operative guide which latter thereuponyields to make The yarn guides 3 are normally held in their pose-each carrier lever-=5 has connected to it a tension spring M which is suitably anchored to an upright post 'l lsecured: in the fixed plate l2.

,Each carrier lever 5, moreover, has connected to it .a'link 13; which is slidable through ,one arm 144a ,ofbaipivoted yarn guide operating lever M.

A 001151 li -which is -secured span the link l3 by set screws. 1. 6 15 arranged to impinge upon the arm: Mi in the manner. depicted in Figure .1.-'

The tan end: like of each guide operating lever Hi isformedtfor engagementat appropriate times commune pivot. pin 1 8; while the leversliliare similarly mounted upon'la' pin. 19,, the two pins bein l rigidly connectedtogether' at their upper ends by means: of a bridge piece" 20., Each-catch member. I L is formed with a; tail L'l bto which is connected one end-of a small tensiorr spring 2! the; opposite end of: which is anchored to a verticallydispose'd pin 22: carried iirlugsi23aformed r on an: upstanding plate 23'; spring serves normallyv to hold the catch member in its\.cat0h position, shownmore clearly: in Figured, thiskposition being determined by reason of" contact of the tai'i- H wi-th'the opposing edgeof the plate 2.3. Normally; the yarn guide operating; levers cording; to requirements. For the sake 10f clar I 715 than clear of the respective catch rnenrlfxers II- with their: tail ends I ib-located to the left -of'the Each of the tor member 32.

position shown in Figure 1. Thus; whenever any one of the levers I4 is acted-upon suchwise as to move its tail end 14b to theright, said tail end will first press upon the protuberant portion 11a of the relevant catch member 111 and press the latter outwardly against its spring 21, whereuponthe parts will immediately snap into engagement; in this ,Way' the yarn guide operating leverwill be caught and maintained in the position indicated inFigure During movement'of a lever 14 in the sense'just described the arm l4a thereof will, of course, swing-to the left and, in so doing, will press upon thecorresponding collar l5, thereby causing the relevant j yarn guide 3 to move into the feeding position I arranged for movementlongitudinally to varying j against the action of its spring j 10. It willbe noted that the free endof each catch member 11' carries an abutment screw 24 which can be secured, after adjustment, by a set screw '25. For

action upon all of the screws 24 simultaneously thereis provided an upright pin 26 carried by a lever 21 which is formed on or secured to'ahoh low shaft 28. This shaft ismounted in suitable bearings in the main bracket of the attachment,

and also has rigidly secured thereto another lever 29- (like the lever L depicted in Figure?) adapted for 'co-operation with a cam 30, see Figure -2, provided on a striping control drum 3|. As will be readily appreciated, whenever the toe of the lever 29 is acted upon'by the cam 30, thelever ment is'transmitted, through the medium of the shaft 31,- vto the lever 43 whichlatter-thereupon effects a turning motion of the selectormember 32. 'In this way the said member is caused to act upon the desired operating lleverl4-so that the corresponding yarn guide 3 is- ,drawn to the feedingposition P. For operating the lever and thereby varying the height of the push rod 36, in accordance with patterning requirements, there is' provided a link 44 which hasa pin-andslot connection 45, 46 with the said lever and-is extents at the dictates of studs on the chain 34.

The end of the link 44 remote from the selector operating lever 39is pivotally connected to a lever 41 which lsin turn pivoted upon a' fixed bracket 48. The lever 41 is formed with an arm 41a arrangedin the path or a chain stud'lever 49 which is suitably associated with and actuated by linkage comprisinga parallel movement link 50 and a link 51 formed with a toe '5la for cooperation with the studs on the chain 34. The

"arrangement is thereforesuch thatin following 21 will be turned in a clockwise direction to trip all of. the catch members I1 simultaneously. Consequently any one, of the guide operatin levers 14 which happens at that timeto be held l in the position shown in Figure 1 will be released to permit the corresponding yarn guideto swing to its non-feeding position under the influence of its spring Ill. As a result of this movement of the guide, the corresponding collarwill act upon thelever l4, thereby causing the latter to assume its normal inoperative positionwith its tail end l4b disposed to the left as aforesaid. I

l The guideoperating levers 14 are selectively operated. For this purpose there is provided a at its lower end with an abutment screw 38 which rests upon the free end of the selector operating lever 39. A tension spring arranged as shown in Figure 1 serves to maintain the rodin contact with the said operating lever. .The latter is suit-' ably bossed at 3911 and mounted for pivotal move- .ment upon a fixed spindle 4|. By swinging the lever 39 to various angular extents the push rod 36 can be raised or lowered to move theselector member 32 into the appropriate horizontal plane for subsequent action upon the desiredyam guide operating. lever I4. A lever 42, similar form to the lever L shown in Figure '1, is secured upon the lower end of the hollow shaft 31 for co-o-peration with the cam 35. A further lever 43 (see Figure 2) is secured upon theupper endof the shaft 31 and arranged for action upon'the selec- 7 Thus, whenever the cam 35iunc- Y j tiohs'to move the lever 42 outwards, such move- L actuates the chain stud lever 49 and, through the medium of the lever 41, shifts the link 44 to the extent required in the desired direction.

'1 The-'striping control drum 3|: is normally" quiescent, but is brought into operation whenever a yarn change is to be effected, through the. stud operated link'44. The said drum is securedupon an axle 523170'"Whl0h is also rigidly attached a rack wheel 53 having formed therein a single notch 53a toprovide a shouldered portion 53b (s'ee Figures 5 and 6) for co-operation -with a pawl 54. Thispawl is carried by one arm 155a of a lever 55-which is adapted to be continuously reciprocatedby a cam-actuated bell crank158. The bell crank is formed with a boss 56a Whi'ChIlS slidable up and down upon an axle 51 depending from the "bottom or bed plate I.

58'projectingdownwards from thearm 55b of the pawl lever 55, and at its-opposite end is fur-j I nished with a roller-59 adapted to'be acted upon by cams bolted to the hub 66 of the customary cylinder-driving gear. As shown in Figure 8,

there are three of these'cams, viz. a singlecamj filifor effecting a reciprocation of the pawl lever once per revolution, and a pair of diametrically opposed-cams 62 for-reciprocating the said lever twice per revolution of the needle cylinders.- The cam 6| is located in a horizontal plane beneath 55 pcentrically therewith. The rod-36 is furnished that in which: the cams 62 are arranged and the bellcrank 56 is movable heightwise to bring the roller 59 into either of these planes, according to requirements. For this purposethe boss 56a is circumferentially recessed at 5% for reception of the appropriate end of alever 63 (see Figure 2) operated from the main control drum (not shown), the construction and arrangement being such thataccording to" the height of theroller I 59, which height will be determined by cams on the main drum, the pawl54 has-imparted-to it" either one or two working strokes per revolution of the needle cylinders. 'It is to be understood that the pawl lever 55 is continuously 'oscillaty ing whenever the machine is in operationbut.

is normally rendered ineffective by means of a bluff 64 which, when operative as shown in Fi'gures 1 and 5, serves toprevent engagement of the pawl 54 with the rack wheel 53. This blufi is formed on a bell crank 65 which is connected by means of a link '66 with a bluff-operating lever lil mounted pivotally upon the fixedispindle studs of respectively difl'erent heights the linkage At its forward end the bell crank is slidably engaged with a'pin 244' aforesaid. Theleter :O'I has-a pin; and slot {-connectiozitflg 69 with the Link, so that when,- {everthe-latter is. shifted terinitiate: selection of a yarnvguide the bluif willbemtuateet and swung v away from thenotclr 53a .to ce-operation of the pawl -with: therack. wheel; in. the; manner the yarnrguicles '3.

shownin Figure 6, and vice versaqflihus itis'only y'wheim a f yarn; change. is. to be; efiected' Ithe striping-control drum 3 l berackedgfl- ;I.:F!or-producing half round areas. such as instep whereas tor all round stripinggthe said will be racked only-once per revolution frcm the v cam 6. The druirr has a; spring r'eturmactien so; that, during Operation, it is automatically restored touits' original. position" after 'eacl'rrack,

that'is'to say at each idle stroke. of the pawl 5.;4.

. When'racking on: came"62.;cr half round strip ingithe'; link, is releasedbut*againcaused. to take upa position tc'determine selection-of: the. v

appropriateje g., iootbottem yarnguide at each revolution of;-the:.machin'e.. this "ccnnecti-an the-link. :Md-siurrii-shedi with. a; lag M for-1cooperationat appropriate times with ascrew abute merit 1L carriedat the free end of alpivetedt lever-12.x; 'I'lqiis leueris. influenced. byaa spring 13 (see Figure-4) tending, normally whom the; lever with the abutment. 'M; in: the raised posie' 'tion indicated in. dotted lines in FigureZ; at this height the said abutment is disposed'in the path v of: the lug. "1- to check the-link M 'andTtemsporarily maintain thalatterin the position at 'f'W-aa'zaa'ze e "P -W z n 53 15 ponkthe indexing. fmg'er cutting device comprises a pair of. thin fi'at 10 striping, the 3et willfi-be racked twice 1per revolution the'machine from; the came 62,

83 toswing itaway clear of the push rod 3'61 ,Conversely,;at each rack1;of the drum 3!, thejfina ger. 8'3-isper nitted to engage the appropriateone 0': the grooves. 36a to check the height of the selector member 3 2. 1. I k the exam l illust ated, the-yarn: placing cutter bladesflfiand a'l andan associated. blade ally fromthe. upstanding part Marthe-slotawill be. hereinafter des'cribeet' I The outer end ot this v. pin is screw-threaded; fer engagement with a nut 94 and an. associated leek-nut- 92. As shown: in

Figure 1-,.a light compression spring 93 is inter- I ,posed between the nuts; and-awasher a l lucated cnithepin. adjacent to the'outer cutter blade; "in; this way the co-operating, elements-are spring.- "pressed. togethen The; device extends in-a substantially. radial direction with respect 'tathe needle circle; Atitszoperative: end each of the cutterbl-ades 86 andyBT isof ageneral-ly Ip'ointed- I charactenbeing outwardly bevelled and inwardly which. it, determines. selectior'rv of the appropriate.

half round; e: g.,, foot *bottom striping yarn guide. "mt-3 183 91 His; however, furnished witha roller 14. for contact with. a.2.-10be camJEse-L- cured upon a layshaft TS'run'ni-ngat half cylinder I speed. Consequently at suitable-regular intervals during half round striping: the link 44 will be. released by reason of the lever 1% being positively cam actuated against the spring actionto lower the. screw abutment 'Hfclearof then-lugzl'll (see.

i full line position Figure- 2)i 1 f Theguide for. the heel and'tce yam is con-- trolledzfrom the main drumcii thefmachine and not from the chain 34. as are the nemainderof to beactedlupon at appropriate'timeslloy a: pivoted bell crank lever 8'2 operated from the main drum.

Thus, whenever the heel. and; toe. yarn guide. is to. be selected for-operation, the beli crank letter i a2 turned in. a. clockwise-direction thereby 9 shiftingzthe link new the right, theyextent. cf a these 'movements being; just suflicient to.'raise "the selector member: 32 to'a height corresponding 1 with the partic ular lever 14- fcr operating: the

said-guide.

Reverting; to the. descrintion.

' 36; the heightofa this and hence also :of th-e Ise-j ."lBCtOIZ-I-hfilhbfiffili at each. selection. is. checke'dby means-oi a spring'lo ade'dind'exing finger. 8%:whi'ch.

is boss-ed at-83ar and pivota'lly mountedrtoturn freely: ab'out' the axle: 52;! The. freeit. e, m=1Jezza-;

f tive, endof: the finger 8 3 is: suitably formed; for" H engagement in. circumuierential' grooves such. as

that indicated at 36a in Figu'refl. Fever 84 furnished withanupstandi ng pin. 851's pro- Videdj' 7 for actuating the indexing finger aa-g vthis lever *bei rig made fa-st thestripihg control d m-m; *spindlef The ccnstructi'crris accqrdingly such that each time the control drum 3% is restored j'w'its'normal position after being'racl'cedv by the Toenable this; 'taabe. done thelink 44- is'fu-rnish'ed with a stop" 80 which carries-an. adjustable abutment screw JSI'adap-ted;

q therein a small recessuwaso-formed as to-provide H -at. .the"i-nner extremity of the elementya yarn I I engaging mmatmn; The'cutter blades-andgas-f 7 simultaneously, for whichpu-rpose they arepivot common. actuating, lever .95. {three elerrrents-i'nay, as, shown, be-- of the same length or approximately sci-and each have: in

end/a. smallholethrough whichextends a I pinzlfifi projecting laterally from? the actuating leveir' inthe-"manner depicted. more clearlyin curved onits underside; 'Iheo-perative: enctcf the placer and trapper element; 88y is; of ascmejwhat similar, shape witlr the exception that. it ha s soei-ated placer and trap-per element areintendcd to be: muvedj towardand away from the needles n allyamcunted at their cuter or tailends'upon a :rhe said; actuating lever 95 isnperakted :thil ugh the: medium of a linkz'97 and ailever'flfl from a cam 99 onthestriping ccmrctarumcl;

The construction. and arrangement. issuch that" whenever the two cutter blades tiltand: 815: and

the placer anditra pper' element ail-are. caused to slide forwards; they are also-movedindependently tome-operate each other in suchsa' manner as; to engagejtrap and: cut: anyingoing yarn such asthair indicated :iy vinrFigu -reza'; These ind'e movements? and the timing of th'e elemalts are achieved'by reason; cifthe pin 90 w re ingqim theyaforesaidslbts; shown Figure 9,

' the-swam the outer cutter ,biadearis 01w intermediate slightly ifornn/su that as the said bladeis projected 1 tew'ar'clst the needles 1!. it first rises sharply and Qthen quick ly moves downwards-again to co -o'perate. the i nner' manner'oi apai-r of scissors. Elie-slot PM the "inner-cutter blade 8E; en the ether hand-E compracticaliy' stra'ghthendi portions arrcfan cutter 'biade 86* after the that during'projecti'on cfthesaid biad'e towards V the-flneedles'iif firstmoves forward iirastraight lowipa tir to fmis's the yarn i'y th I rise st amy For; instance. all I upwardly curved; portion,

ment. The placer and trapper element 88, al-

though adapted to rise together with the outer in the outercutter blade 81.-

The main trapping and severing device in this example comprises a pivoted cutting member I03, a co-operating fixed cutter plate I04, spring influenced yarn gripping plungers I (Figure 12) and a pivoted [placer element I06 adapted to engage an outgoing yarn foruth purpose of placing itinto the trapper. The plungers I05 are of the saw tooth type' to permit ofyarn in one direction only. As will be seen from a consideration of Figure 1, the pivoted cutting member "I03 and the yarn placing element extend more or less tangentially to the needlecircle NC substantially at right anglesto the hereinbefore described yarn placing and cutting device, and are both rigidly secured to a common pivot pin I01 mounted to turnin a block I08 on the bracket An upstanding plate ;I I19, secured to the block lU8'functi0ns as a guidetc facilitate entry of an outgoing yarninto the-main trapper. In association with the main trapping and severing device there is provided a yarn clearer consisting of an element II II which is mounted on the inner end of thepivot pin I01 and adapted to function in conjunction with the device to clear waste portions of yarn therefrom; In this connection the clearer is formed with an angularly disposed extension IIIIa which is forkedfor en gagement with a pin III inserted in the end-of the pivot IIII. The waste yarnmay be received in a receptacle of channel form (not shown) attached to the undersideofthe bracket 89.; The tall ends of the cutting member I 03 and the yarn placing element I06 are slottedfor engagement with a cranked portion I l2a of arod IIZ mounted to turn in the bracket 89.- .Appropriate turning movements are imparted to this rod through the medium of a lever H3 which is pivoted at H4 and adapted to be actuated by. a. cam [I5 provided on the striping control drum 3|. A link removal as waste in the mannerpreviously described. ,Figure 12 shows all three elements 86,

81 and 88 of the device fully withdrawnfrom action,.whereas in Figure .13 the elements 86 and 88 are shown as they appear in the course of being advanced to cut and hold an ingoing yarn.

In Figure 2 the plain needle cylinder and. the

superimposed rib needle cylinder are indicated at HI and I22, respectively. The reference numeral I23 indicates the top cam box of the machine.

As will be seen in Figure '2A,"the machine illustratedis of the 'type including double-ended neeportion ofthe new yarn may be introduced to the IIIi-connects the lever II3 with a forked arm I" which is adjustably secured upon the rod II2. As shown in Figure 1, the-lever H3 is furnished with a pivoted detent II8 which is formed with a nose I IBa arranged to beacted upon by a toothlike formation II5a on;the cam II-5. .Thesaid detent is controlled by a spring I I9 by which his normally held against a fixedstop IZIIMcarried by the lever H3. The arrangement istherefore such that actuation of the lever I I3-ispermitted uponmovement of the control drum 3i in one direction only. This is in contra-distinction to all of the remaining movements, on the said drum for each of which the camand lever action is similar to that shown in Figure '7, sothat the forward movement of the cam becomes the trailing end of movement of the return stroke.

The operative portion of the main, trapping and severing device is arranged infairly close prox i'mity to the leading ends of the elements of the yarn placing and'cutting device. I

In Figure 9 the yarn placing and cutting device'has just cut the ingoin yarn iy at a point nearto the first needle n to receive it, and is holding the portion zy of the said yarn for introduction to the needles. The free portion 211/? of the yarn projecting from themain-trapper is leftfor needles either directly into thehooks in the case of a machine equipped with latch needles, or may be locked in by the latches of the needles descending at the knitting location, or both. The improved yarn feeding and changing mechanism may be applied to circular plainknitting machines as well as to circular rib knitting machines for producing fabric in continuous lengths for manufacture into garments, or for producing stockings, three-quarter hose, sports hose, half-hose, socks and'other knitted articles.

or garments or: garment lengths.

Moreover, the said mechanism maybe applied to circular knitting machines of the stationary cylinder type as well as to machines of the rotary cylinder type, and to machines having either latch .orbearded needles.

The timing or controlling mechanism may be designed and operated for yarn changes to take placeat the rear of a half-hose when making the leg, and the yarn changes automatically con trolled to change at each side of the foot to prowith a plain foot and striped at each yarn change for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting the portion of the ingoing yarn extending between the feeding end of its guide and the aforesaid trapping and severing means, said device comprising a pair of relatively movable cutting elements, and a co-operatingplacer element which latter, besides being formed at its operative end to receive an ingoing-yarn, also functions as part of atrapper. I

2. In a knitting machine, in combination,a bed, needles in said bed, a plurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeably to said needles, means for trapping and severing a yarn whenever it is withdrawn from knitting by an outgoing yarn guide, a bracket fixed exteriorly of theneedle'bed, and a yarn placing and cutting device which' is mountedto slide on the bracket towards and from the needles and is operable at each yarn change for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting'the portion of the I mg element w en latter, f besides being formed at its operative-end to receivean ingoing yarn, also functions aspart of a trapper.

:3 In aknitting'machine, in c mbinationsed;

needles 'in said bed, a plural-ity of yarn guides for l feeding yarns interchangeably to said needles,

means for trappingand severing a yarn whenever it is withdrawn fror'n knitting lay an outgoing yarn guide, a bracket which is fixed exteriorlyfof the needie'fbed and has a pin I projecting therefrom,

,ing to the needles "and thereupon trapping and betting the .portionfof the in'going yarn extending tweml he e insge d o su and e and -af yarnplacing andicuttingdevice operable at'each yarnc'hange forfgengaging'and introduc-j aforesaid trapping and severingmeans, said de r e.fcem risi s;relativ l mo cutting m nts'fq med t lo f r 'w-o e a' o w e guide, and a yarn plan-aga e "cutting-device fur nis'hed' with elements operableat each change for engaging an'd introducingto the'needies and; th renpon'tmppmg and cutting the portion fof the i'ngoing yarn extending between t e-feeding' end of its guide and the first men tioned trapping andsevering means.

' 7. In a knittingmac'hinain combination, needles, a plurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeably 'to. said needles, "means for opcrating the guides selectively, fsaid'guides being so'forniedarrd mounted that their'feeding 'e'nds extend in the general direction of a feeding location fcommon t'o' ail' of them and are capable of yielding suchwise-that whenfan'inoperative guide is rendered operative 'it di'splacesthe then" operative guide so that its feedingend is eventuwal'ly caused toassume theposition vacated by pin onthe bracket and a co-operating placer ele:

, ment' which latter, beside lbeing formed witha 1 I furtherslotforcog-o'peration with the said pin, is 7 adapted at its-OperatiVeend toreceive an ingoing yarn and "also functions as part of a trapper, and

the slots, being soshapediand relatively disposed thatupon all three elementsof the device being projectedtogether, ma direction'towards thence J 'd1e s; they. are movedindependently to co-operate Witheach other in timed relatiomfor the purposes '41 In a circularfknitting machine, in combinaf tion,,a circle of needles, aplurality of yarn guides drawn from knitting-byan outgoing yarnguide,

and ayar'n placing and cutting device furnished I for' feeding yarns jnterchangeablyjto said neetween the feeding end of its-guide. andrthev first mentioned trapping and severing means, the said elementsof the device being so mounted onthe I 7 outside of the needle circle as to extend and'move in} a practically radial? direction with respect thereto.

' 5. .In'1a circular ,knitting machine, .in combination, acircle of needles,a plurality of yarn guides forl feeding yarns interchangeably to said needles,

ter, and a yarn placing and cutting device furnished, with elements operable at each yarn change for engagingand'introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting thepora tion' of theingoing yarn extending between the feeding endof' its, guide, and thefirst mentioned trapping andsevering means, the said elements ofthe device being so mounted on the outside of the, needle circle as to jjextend and move a practically radial direction with. respect thereto.

6; In a knitting machine,inficombination, nee,-

dles} aplurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeablyto saidneedles, means for op theofeeding end of the outgoing guide, means for trapping and severing a yarn wheneverit'is with with elements operable 'at e'acl'i 'yarn fchange for engaging and introducingto "thefneedles and I thereupon trappingandlcuttihg thepertion of the ingoing yarn extending between the {feeding end of itsguideand first mentioned trapping and severing means;

8. "In aknitting machinain combinatiomnee dies, a plurality of y-arn guidesforfeeding yarns interchangeablyfto said needles, means for ti' fp ping and severing agyarn whenever it is with-' drawnfrom knitting byan outgoing yarn guide,-

a yarn placing and cutting" device furnished with elements operable at each fyarn change foren: p

gaging and 'introducingto the needlesand thBIG-Z upon trapping and cutting theportionof the in'- going yarn extendingybetween"the feedingend of its guide and the first mentioned trapping and severing means; a drum" furnished with earns;

means for effecting reciprocation of said-drum,

' and intermediateconnections respectively be means for trappingfand severing a yarn whenjever it is withdrawn from knitting by an" out: going yarn uidajthesaid means being located on the outside of'the needle circle and extending substantiallyv tangentially, with respect to the'lat-I i twee the-fl w an t ma n tr p g and severingmeangthe yarn placing and cutting device "and the yarn guides :whereby all of these parts are operate'd coniiointly in appropriate timed relation. v f 9. Inc. knitting machine, in combination, abepl,

needlesin said bed; a plurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeablyjto said needles,

means for trapping-and severing ,a yarnjwhen ever this withdrawn from knitting by an outgoing yam guide, a bracket which is fixed ex: teriorfly of the needle bed and has a pin projecting therefrom, and a yarn placing and cutting device operable at each yarnchange for engaging andfintroducing to theneedles and thereupon trapping land cntting the portion of the ingoing a yarn extending between the feeding end ,of its guide andf'the aforesaid trapping and severing means, said device comprising acutting element formed with a slot which isso shaped for co-operating the guides selectively, saidguidesqbeing so formed'mounted and operable that/whena yarn change'is madetheingoing guide takes up substantially the feeding position previously 0c,-

cupied by the guide to be withdrawn so that as the yarns "are changed, each is: eventually fed from the same feeding point as its predecessor, means fortrapping and severing a yarn whenever it iswithdrawn from 'knittingby an outgoing yarn eration'with the pin on the bracket that as the said element isprojected towards gthe needle's it first rises and'mo'ves downwards again, a companion cutting element which is also formed with'a slot forjco-operationwith the pin suchwise that 'said companion element moves first in a straight low path to avoid the ingoing'yarn and then rises somewhat before completing the extent'ofits movement towards the needles, and a co-ope'ratin-g yarn placer and trapper element having' therein a slotforfco-operat ionf'with the same pin so that, uponjbeing projected forwardly, it rises together with the'firs't mentioned cut- 'device common to all of the yarn guides for trapping and severing a yarn Whenever it is withdrawn from knitting by an outgoing yarn guide, and a yarn placing and cutting device furnished with elements operable at each yarn change for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting the portion of the ingoing yarn extending between the feeding.

end of its guide and the first mentioned trappin and severing means.

11. In a knitting machine, in combination, needles, a plurality'ofyarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeably tosaid needles, a single device common to all of the yarn guides for trap,- ping and severing a yarn whenever it is withdrawn from knitting by an outgoing yarn guide, a yarn placing and cutting device furnished with elements operable at each yarn change for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting the portion of the ingoing yarn extending between the feeding end of its guide and the first mentioned trapping and severing means, and, in association with the first mentioned yarn trapping and severing device, a

' yarn clearer adapted to function in conjunction therewith to clear waste portions of yarn therefrom.

12. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a circle of needles, a plurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeably to said needles, a single device common to all of the part of a trapper.

which extend substantially radially with respect to the needle circle and are operable at each yarn change .for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting the portion of the ingoing yarn extending between the feeding end of its guide and the first mentioned trapping and severing device.

13. In a knitting machine, in combination,

needles, a plurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns interchangeably to said needles, means for trapping and severing a-yarn whenever it is withdrawn from knitting by an outgoing yarn guide, and a yarn placing and cutting device operable at each yarn change for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting the portion of the ingoing yarn extend-' ing between the feeding end of its guide and the aforesaid-trapping and severing means, said device comprising relatively movable cutting elements and a cooperating placerv element also functioning as part of a trapper,

14. In a knitting machine, in combination, a plain needle cylinder, a superimposed rib needle cylinder, double-ended needles for operation in said cylinders, sliders in said cylinders foroperating the needles andtransferring same from one cylinder to the other according to requirements, a plurality of yarn guides for feeding yarns inter- ,changeably to said needles, means for trapping and severing a yarn whenever it'is' withdrawn from knitting by an outgoing yarn guide, and a yarn placing and cutting device operable at each yarn change for engaging and introducing to the needles and thereupon trapping and cutting the portion of the ingoing yarn extending between the feeding end of its guide and the aforesaid trapping and severing means, said device comprising relatively movable cutting elements and a cooperating placer element also functioning as HENRY HAROLD HOLMES. ALBERT HENRY VVIDDOW SON' 

